Community policing and Gender based violence mitigation in Rwanda: A case study of Kayonza District (2014-2017)

Abstract

In the advent of increased crimes rates, the police force is expected to embrace the principles of community policing through cooperation with the community. Therefore, the justification behind this research is to assess the role of CP in mitigating GBV cases. The study emphases on current situation of GBV, the role of CP in fighting against GBV, the causes of the persistence of GBV crimes, challenges faced by CP in preventing GBV crimes as well as how to treaty those challenges in Kayonza District. The researcher used descriptive research design with qualitative and quantitative approaches. The targeted population was GBV Victims while Community policing officers and RIB officers served as key informants. A number of 69 respondents GBV victims have been selected in Kabarondo, Nyamirama, Murundi, Mukarange, Gahini sectors of Kayonza district and 10 key informants. Data collection tools ware questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated that due to community policing GBV crimes have been reduced as CP collaborate with people and report those crimes to RIB offices. They give pieces of advice to GBV victims on what to do, identify potential causes of GBV crimes, co-produce justice, stop the crimes before they occur. Respondents still meet with physical, financial and economic, sexual, moral and psychological and healthy violence classified as GBV cases. The women are more affected by GBV crimes. Among causes of GBV persistence includes harmful usage of alcohol, polygamy and adultery, infidelity, low-level of economic status of women, ignorance, wrong mentality towards culture, gender stereotypes, norms practices, early marriage. Respondents view myths and gender equality biases, ignorance, inadequate funds and equipment to CP, corruption as challenges in mitigating GBV crimes in Kayonza district. They suggested healthy promotion and respectful relationship, women empowerment, peace education, strong partnership of all stakeholders as measures to prevent GBV crimes. The study concluded that the CP has mitigated GBV crimes and recommend all stakeholders to strive for addressing GBV in Kayonza district, report on time GBV, equip CP with necessary equipments and provide incentives to them as well as strengthening peace education, put in place a database to facilitate researches on GBV